Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), one of India’s largest and most influential media networks, has taken a significant leap into the world of esports with the launch of its first-ever competitive gaming tournament — ‘Zee Media Gaming Tournament: Arena of Champions’. This initiative marks a milestone moment in the network’s digital journey, blending Zee Media’s media prowess with the youthful, unstoppable momentum of India’s gaming revolution.

According to a Zee Media press release, the move reflects the company’s forward-looking vision to stay ahead in new-age content formats and audience engagement. By venturing into esports, Zee Media is not merely adding another vertical but creating a bridge between entertainment, technology, and community engagement. With gaming emerging as one of the fastest-growing entertainment categories in India, this launch underscores the network’s strategic intent to deeply connect with Gen Z and millennial audiences — the driving force behind India’s digital transformation.

At the centre of this major initiative is a high-stakes gaming competition featuring a Rs.10 lakh prize pool, designed to bring together the country’s most skilled gaming squads. Zee Media has partnered with Glazer Games as the execution partner and Thryl as the registration platform, ensuring a professional esports experience complete with structured gameplay, live commentary, digital streaming, and fan interaction. Registrations for the Arena of Champions open on November 3, setting the stage for a high-energy, competitive gaming extravaganza.

Speaking about the strategic expansion, Priyadarshan Garg, Chief Business Officer, Indiadotcom Digital Private Limited — a Zee Media company — said, “Today’s youth are active participants in digital culture, shaping communities through gaming, streaming, and interactive engagement. Our entry into the esports space is a strategic step toward creating an ecosystem that connects with this new generation at a deeper, more experiential level. We aim to bring together the scale and credibility of Zee Media with the energy, excitement, and inclusivity of competitive gaming to redefine how entertainment, technology, and participation intersect. This initiative also opens fresh opportunities for brands, partners, and creators to engage with India’s rapidly growing gaming community in meaningful and measurable ways.”

Echoing the same enthusiasm, Ashish Srivastava, Co-Founder & COO, Glazer Labs, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Zee Media on their entry into gaming and esports! This is a huge step toward bringing esports to the mainstream and unlocking new possibilities for India’s gaming ecosystem.”

The launch of ‘Arena of Champions’ represents a defining chapter in Zee Media’s transformation from a traditional broadcaster to a multi-dimensional content powerhouse. By merging the credibility of mainstream media with the pulse of esports, the company is setting a new benchmark for digital entertainment in India. With this ambitious step, Zee Media is not just entering the gaming space — it is reimagining how India plays, connects, and competes in the digital age.